The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has unanimously rejected former President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for interim release.

The decision upholds the ruling of ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, which had earlier denied Duterte’s request for temporary release in September, confirming that he will remain in detention at the Hague Penitentiary Institution in the Netherlands.

The ruling was upheld by the Appeals Chamber on Friday, November 28, in a judgment read during an open court session presided over by Judge Luz Del Carmen Ibañez Carranza.

Duterte's counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman represented him during the proceedings. On a document released by ICC dated November 27, Duterte waived his right to personally attend the reading of the Appeals Chamber’s judgment.

Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, in connection with his administration’s controversial war on drugs.

The Pre-Trial Chamber I previously rejected both Duterte’s Urgent Request for Interim Release and a Renewed Request for Interim Release last September.

Duterte’s legal challenges extend beyond The Hague. On November 18, the legal team of his daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, filed an urgent motion before the Philippine Supreme Court, seeking immediate action on pending habeas corpus petitions to facilitate the former president’s return to the Philippines.

As the ICC proceedings continue, Duterte remains in detention at the Hague, awaiting trial for the serious charges linked to the anti-drug operations carried out during his presidency.